Audio question

[Sarge135]

Guys I need some clarification.

I have read that we need to relocate our stock head unit to maintain the BMW assist, downloads, and some other functions within the car.

Looking over some threads, I came across this.

http://www.janus-design.net/english/...rcanbuspdc.php

Does this harness eliminate the need to keep the stock radio connected? If so, has anyone tried it?

Thanks for the info in advance!

[Sarge135]

Anyone?

[nato-main-man-5am]

Seems unlikely to retain everything you get from the factory head unit. I'd want a better guarantee than the description on the web site -- with a money back option and i'd be prepared to deal with install and uninstall costs if it doesn't work.

The head units from BMW are pretty good. Flat output, can be coded to send analog or digital out, and then you maintain the original look of the car. I've never seen an aftermarket unit that looks "right" in our cars, IMO.

[Sarge135]

The sound from the head unit is ok, but the interface sucks. You have to push this button, to get to this file, and then click this other to get to this album. Before you know it, you are in a pile up.

I got this car with the understanding that the head unit was going to be the first thing changed, and now I find out all this CAN BUS crap. Its frustrating. I dont mind moving the thing to the back, but it makes no sense. I had a similar problem in my old 350z with the Bose system, you had to run all new lines inside the car because of Bose's odd use of super high ohms on their speakers and proprietary wiring.

Originally Posted by Nathan_h

Seems unlikely to retain everything you get from the factory head unit. I'd want a better guarantee than the description on the web site -- with a money back option and i'd be prepared to deal with install and uninstall costs if it doesn't work.

The head units from BMW are pretty good. Flat output, can be coded to send analog or digital out, and then you maintain the original look of the car. I've never seen an aftermarket unit that looks "right" in our cars, IMO.

[nato-main-man-5am]

Yeah i agree. If I had to replace my car I'd get one with navigation, not for the navigation feature but for the screen and additional functionality like easier access to music.

Maybe the unit you link to would work. I'd ask the manufacturer for more assurances.

And while I don't know anything about it, keeping the head unit in the trunk and using a different one in the car is something a few people have talked about. That's probably the safest option.

I just select my music before driving or while at a stoplight, or if I have a passenger then that is their job. Not ideal but it works. And I have a few hundred albums on a 64g USB stick....

The other option is to use an iPod for your music and do the selecting on that, with a nice mount. And run the headphone output to the line in aux on the car. Something like a big capacity iPod touch would be easy to use and let you ignore the head unit except for turning it on, selecting aux in, and maybe volume.